AN: hello everyone :) welcome to my first resident evil fanfic. I've suffered from a severe lack of inspiration recently but I've had this one planned in my head for a long time, and it's practically finished. I'm a big Claire and Leon fan so expect this story to be mainly centered around the two, with action, violence, some Cleon, horror, and a favorite villian. Hope you enjoy and thank you for taking the time to read.

1

Claire Redfield's smile suddenly dropped as she sighed into the handset

"And there I was thinking that you called to catch up..." She said disappointed, as she kicked her legs up onto her work desk.

Her older brother hadn't called in a while, and she was overjoyed when she saw his name pop up on the caller I.D, only for the joy of Chris actually checking in to be cut short. He had quickly dropped the small talk to inquire about the sudden disappearance of a mutual friend

"Claire...look, I'm sorry. But I've been busy cleaning shit up after New York City. Sometimes the days just roll into one...you know?"

Claire sighed, but without the edge this time

"Don't I know it" she replied "and now, you've got the DSO breathing down your neck to get info about Leon's whereabouts outta me"

She heard Chris laugh down the line

"You're as sharp as ever sis"

Claire slammed her feet down off her desk

"And it sucks that it takes them badgering you enough for you to actually pick up your phone and call me!" Claire retorted, her anger returning full fold

"Claire, this is serious!" Chris replied angrily "if Leon's gone off the rails-" Claire suddenly cut him off with a high pitched scoff.

There was a moment of silence, then Chris resumed, annoyed by the interruption. Claire could practically hear his teeth grinding down the call.

"IF, he's gone off the rails" Chris started again, as Claire rolled her eyes "then he's gonna be dangerous"

"Dangerous! Seriously! " Claire interrupted again "this is Leon we're talking about here! Did he not just help you with all that shit in New York, and this is how your gonna repay him? Real nice, Chris..."

Claire had had enough and cut the call just as Chris started a retort about how much Leon had started to drink. She threw the phone angrily across her desk, and glanced at a colleague who was paying too much attention through the glass walls of her office, the secretary blanched at Claire's scowl and hurried away.

Claire's anger settled when her thoughts turned to her wayward friend. Apart from a couple of incidents a while back, Claire hadn't really had much contact with Leon over the years since they had survived Raccoon city together. Just the odd call here or there, sometimes a visit if he was local, but three months ago - just after the incident in New York City – he had called and asked if she wanted to go out for a coffee.

Claire was thrilled at the prospect of a proper catch up with her friend, but she quickly learned that Leon's unusual insistence to meet up daily, was a cry for help. He wasn't the same man she remembered, and he looked as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. Leon vented many of his frustrations to her whilst - she sadly noted- he constantly topped up his coffee with whatever was in the flask he carried, and now, two weeks after their last coffee date, the DSO had caught on that the troubled agent had disappeared, and naturally, because of the pair's recent meetings, Claire would be a good lead.

Claire sighed again, as she glanced at the setting sun.

"I guess you wasn't being paranoid when you told me they kept tabs on you 24/7" she said sadly to herself


The next day went surprisingly quick for Claire, considering how excited she was for the day to end. Chris had tried to call several times through the evening before, and it wasn't until late that she had decided to answer. She expected another heated discussion, but, Chris didn't mention Leon once, and actually sounded somewhat interested in her extended trip to Europe, expressing his concerns that she was taking a trip across the world alone. His old protectiveness softened her anger, and they both ended the call on a much lighter note.

Claire was happy she'd made up with her brother before leaving. Everyone in her inner circle knew life could be too short, especially in their line of work. Claire let out a breath of relief, and relaxed in her chair, looking forward to some well deserved time off. Her eyes fell on the clock mounted on the far wall, and she decided to begin tidying her desk and filing the last of the paperwork.

As Claire was finishing up a small knock came from her office door. She didn't know who it was after keeping the blinds closed all day, and she certainly wasn't expecting anybody at this hour. She called whoever it was to come in, hoping they wouldn't keep her too long. Claire was anxious to get away.

A well dressed woman and burly man entered, neither of whom she recognised

"Can I help you?" Claire asked, as she shut down her laptop and packed it into her bag

"Miss Redfield?" the woman questioned

"That's the name on the door..." Claire replied

The woman side eyed the man with her, and the pair briefly flipped out what Claire assumed was Government issue I.D...they certainly looked the type

"Miss Redfield, we were wondering if we could ask a few questions about our missing colleague..."

That was it, Claire's good mood suddenly went right out of the window

"This again!" She scowled, and she turned her back to gather the remainder of her personal belongings scattered on the desk "calling me five times this week isn't enough that you have to send the heavies out?"

The woman reminded Claire of a strict high school teacher from her past, and she had the scowl to match

"You misunderstand, miss. We are very concerned about our agent, that's all, and we have hopes you can help, what with you being...close...with agent Kennedy and all"

Claire shoved her bag over her shoulder and made towards the office door

"I bet you know all about how 'close' we are, considering the spying" Claire spat, as she stormed past the pair. Annoyingly, they followed behind as Claire made her way into the corridor, and the trio stopped at the elevator. Claire smashed the button as the uptight woman tried again

"We're afraid he could be in danger. We have reasons to believe a terrorist group is trying to find him. They may already have him, hence the urgency in tracking agent Kennedy down"

Claire rolled her eyes, and made for the stairs...that was a new one, and it stunk of bullshit

"Interesting..." The woman said suddenly

Claire turned with furrowed brows

"What is?!" Claire growled

The woman grinned

"I inform you that the man you are close with is in danger, MISS. Redfield, and, what do you know?...not even a flinch!...now, THAT is interesting..."

Now Claire truly had, had enough

"I HAVE nothing more to tell you PEOPLE!" Claire growled, as she stared down the pair. Not even the sudden vibrating of the phone in her pocket made Claire flinch, even when she realised it was the second mobile phone she was carrying.

Not the best time to call, buddy...

The other woman's irritating smile didn't disappear as she pointed to Claire's inside pocket

"Aren't you going to answer that? Could be important"

"Am I even allowed too? Or would that be interfering in your investigation!" Claire spat

"Honestly, Miss Redfield" the woman shrugged "I don't know where all this defensive aggression is coming from, we're just trying to help a mutual friend..."

"Mutual friend!" Claire scoffed "more like lost property!"

The buzzing from Claire's pocket started up again

"Someone is definitely trying to get your attention" the woman grinned, then upon noticing a steady stream of people entering the stairwell, she turned back to Claire "perhaps we should get back to you later?"

"You do that!" Claire smirked, as she spun away and reached for the old Nokia buzzing. She had to think fast. The bitch had caught a scent and Claire had to attempt to throw her off. She brought the phone up to her ear, and answered quickly, hoping her voice would echo up as she descended the stairs, she knew the irritating woman would probably be listening

"Hey, Suzie girl. I'll be right there. Godamn cold callers trying to sell me their shit. Give me twenty, okay? Then I'll call you right back"

The woman watched Claire, like a hawk stalking prey, as she made her way down the staircase, her arms crossed and that irritating smile gone.

The muscular man strangely silent by her side.


AN:- Planning on weekly updates. Thanks for reading.